pitmaster

noun

pit·​mas·​ter ˈpit-ˌma-stər 

variants or pit master

plural pitmasters or pit masters

: a person who oversees the cooking done in a barbecue pit : a professional or skilled barbecuer

"This is good, really good," Allan says, tasting pitmaster Scott Smith's first cured pork belly. "I wouldn't change a thing."

—John T. Edge

He was one of Houston's most celebrated pitmasters and helped to kick off the barbecue renaissance here.

—J. C. Reid

Robert Polk, the pit master I met earlier this morning, comes in carrying a gorgeous brisket fresh from the smoker and hands it off to Smitty, who starts slicing it to make sandwiches and plates.

—Patricia Sharpe

Examples of pitmaster in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Reality Bites Barbecue Showdown season three Pregame the fireworks and meat of Fourth of July weekend, by watching pitmasters work fire on meat on the third season of Netflix’s Barbecue Showdown. —Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 5 July 2024

Dumas said Brotherton's Black Iron BBQ will continue operating as usual, the way its founder would want, ensuring that the restaurant was a physical manifestation of the beloved pitmaster's legacy. —Matthew Odam, Austin American-Statesman, 16 Jan. 2024

Shawn Hill is an expert pitmaster and owner of The Grilling Dad. —Jessie Quinn, People.com, 1 Oct. 2024

The city’s rich barbecue traditions grew from there, with a second wave of pitmasters helping to cement its place in culinary history. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

pit entry 1 (in barbecue pit) + master entry 1

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above